September 5, 2005
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• President’s Convocation will be Tuesday at Lyon • Annual raft race is part of Welcome Weekend for new students • Mortar Board chapter to host second LEAP Conference Sept. 12 • President Roettger appoints new class to Board of Church Advocates • Rule to speak on Constitution Sept. 19 • ‘Sexsignals’ tackles serious subjects with a humorous touch • Freemasons fund, donate film to Lyon • Arkansas colleges and universities receive grants • Obert is new admissions counselor at ASUMH • Volleyball Pipers win home-opener • Lyon golfers finish 8th, 10th at CBC Invitational tourney • Servis joins Lyon coaching staff
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Lyon offers to accept displaced students In an effort to assist college students displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Lyon College is offering to accept up to 30 students from the New Orleans and Gulf Coast area that has been affected by the disaster. Classes started at Lyon Aug. 24, but officials said today they would extend enrollment for these students until Sept. 9. “The faculty will work with the students to help them catch up,” said Dr. John Peek, vice president for academic services. “But the earlier they can enroll, the smoother the transition will be.” He said Lyon would seek to accommodate these students so that they will not lose a semester or an entire year in their academic program. Admission requirements will include that the student is in good standing with their current institution and that they are a good fit for Lyon College. “It is our hope that Lyon College can offer a safe haven for these students in this time of extraordinary need,” Dr. Walter Roettger, president of Lyon, said. “We would welcome and support these students, whom we would classify as visiting students for the fall semester or as long as it takes for their home college or university to return to normal business operations.” He emphasized that Lyon is not trying to recruit students away from their home colleges, but to help them out in this difficult time. “We respect and support our sister institutions of higher education who are suffering in the midst of this disaster,” he said. The college will offer financial aid on a case-by-case basis. Students, or their parents and friends, may contact the Office of Academic Services at (870) 698-4332 or toll-free at the Office of Enrollment Services at (800) 423-2542. They can also e-mail admissions@lyon.edu. “If we do not have programs that match the student’s major, we will help them find another institution that may accommodate them,” Roettger said. He said, thanks to new construction, the college has the residential and classroom capacity to accommodate 30 additional students. The college will do everything it can to help the students adjust and recover from the disaster by offering counseling and other support services. The Lyon chaplain and counseling staff are actively helping current students as they cope with the impact of this disaster. Lyon College also has a number of alumni and students with families in the Gulf Coast area. Lyon staff members are currently trying to contact them to offer assistance. “Lyon’s Career Center is available to help alumni and will be glad to assist those alumni who were displaced and are now job hunting,” said Bethany Pitts, director of career development. “We have many networks, especially within the state of Arkansas and the Mid-South. We can help connect them to other alumni professionals and to our other LYONetwork members who may be able to give advice or offer contact information for employers. Also, I can put them in touch with professionals in human resources and recruiting in the state of Arkansas through the Arkansas Association of Colleges and Employers (AACE).” The Career Center may be reached at (870) 698-4264. Lyon’s director of alumni and parent services, Donald Taylor, is also available to talk to alumni who have been affected. His number is (870) 698-4238.
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Lyon organizations rallying to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina
By Eric Ramirez
Hurricane Katrina has crippled the Gulf Coast and all but razed New Orleans. More than half a million people have been displaced and figures on property damage rise as high as $100 billion. Even from Lyon College, the view is bleak, but all hope is not lost.
Lyon College has opened its doors to those left homeless by the disaster. According to Peggy Roettger, there are two adults and five children staying at the Guest House, and the Faculty House will be housing four more who will arrive later this week.
Several organizations have rallied and are working to combat the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Omega Sigma Alpha spent two days last week gathering donations for the American Red Cross. According to one sister, Brianne Orr, “We raised a total of $282.50 in those two days, but to tell you the truth, we were a little disappointed that it wasn’t more.” She hopes that the donations across town and campus will be more successful.
Kappa Sigma will be sponsoring a Hurricane Katrina Relief party at the American Legion Post this weekend. The brothers hope to raise between $300-$500, which will be sent to the Red Cross.
The staff of the Mabee-Simpson Library is also accepted monetary donations for hurricane victims. You can drop off donations at the front desk.
Nancy McSpadden and Sandy Michel have discussed the possibility of Campus Ministries planning another Penny Drive around Thanksgiving. They hope to start it early enough so they can raise money to send to victims of the hurricane over the holidays.
There is also a chance that Lyon will be taking in a few new visiting students, whose colleges have had to close for at least the fall semester. (See related story.)
A number of area church groups and other organizations are helping out with relief efforts locally.
For instance, the Macedonian Association of Missionary Baptist Churches is housing 400 refugees at Budd Creek Baptist Camp near Greers Ferry. They could use donations of food, money and other necessities to assist the evacuees. If you can help, contact Paul and Diane Weatherford, 705 Budd Creek Road, Greers Ferry, AR 72067, or phone 501-825-7711.
Look for more opportunities to help in The Batesville Daily Guard and in Announcements in FirstClass.
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President’s Convocation will be Tuesday at Lyon The annual President’s Convocation will be held at Lyon College at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 6, in Brown Chapel. At the convocation, President Walter Roettger will speak and present several awards. Student Government Association President Josh Manning will announce the selection of Mr. and Ms. Lyon College for the 2005-06 academic year. The Mr. and Ms. Lyon College honor is awarded to seniors who embody the ideal characteristics of a Lyon student. The selection process requires that nominees must have at least a 3.0 grade point average. Students are nominated by faculty and staff and then are chosen by popular vote of the sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Dr. Roettger will present the Williamson Prize trophy to Dr. Scott Roulier, associate professor of political science at Lyon. Dr. Roulier’s selection as the 2005-06 honoree was announced at commencement last May. The prize is presented to an outstanding faculty member each year. Also at the convocation, Dr. Roettger will present the President’s Cup, which is awarded each year to a fraternity or sorority in recognition of leadership and service by a Greek organization. Winners of the annual raft race, held Monday, Aug. 29, at Bryan Lake, will also be announced by Gary Harris, Spragins House resident faculty mentor. Dr. Kurt Grafton, associate professor of chemistry, will announce plans for Service Day, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21.
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Annual raft race is part of Welcome Weekend for new students
Jessica Bennett
paddles her raft past Kimi Brown for a splash victory. The raft
race and campus picnic were held August 29 at Bryan Lake.
Cody Borin kicks the water with gusto as the crowd cheers behind him.
Photos by Jason Marzewski
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Mortar Board chapter to host leadership conference Monday, Sept. 12
The Order of the Tartan Mortar Board Chapter at Lyon College will
host its second annual conference for promising high school students from the
Batesville area on September 12. The L.E.A.P. conference (Leaders Engaged in
Achieving their Potential) will be held on the Lyon College campus and is being
jointly funded by Mortar Board, Inc. and Lyon College. The students will be
working with Mortar Board members and leaders from the community to get a better
understanding of leadership styles and how to apply them to serving in their
communities.
The keynote speaker for the L.E.A.P. 2005 Conference is Paul Vitale, the founder
of Vital Communications. As a motivational coach, he has been the keynote
speaker at conventions, seminars and universities all over the country. He has
also authored two books, Are You Puzzled by the Puzzle of Life? and Pass It On.
Originally from Russellville, he received his mass communications and journalism
degree from the University of Central Arkansas.
Four community leaders from the Batesville area have volunteered to
help with the conference; they will be leading workshops for the students
throughout the day. The four panelists are: Bev Finch from the Humane Society of Independence
County; Gayle Silberhorn from Family Violence Prevention; Richard
Dahlquist from the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch; and District Judge Chaney
Taylor. In order to show its appreciation, Mortar Board will be donating $100 to
each panelists’ charity of choice.
President Roettger appoints new class to Board of Church Advocates
Dr. Walter Roettger, president of Lyon College, has appointed a new class to the Board of Church Advocates.
The Board of Church Advocates is an advisory board to the president of Lyon and is responsible for nurturing the relationship between Lyon College and institutions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including the Synod of the Sun.
The board advises the president on issues that are relevant to the College’s mission in church-related higher education and its relationship with institutions of the Church. The board also interprets and articulates the mission and current priorities of the College to the presbyteries and churches of the Synod, and serves as ambassadors for the College.
New members of the class of 2008 include: Bruce and Marcy Carl of Little Rock, David M. Clark of Judsonia, Peggy Cook of Hot Springs Village, Amanda Griffin of Fayetteville, Leila Power of Fayetteville, Audrey Seibert of Batesville, Whitney Steele of Little Rock and Sandra Tranum of Little Rock.
For more information, please contact Claudia Marsh, director of church relations, at (870) 793-1767 or at CMarsh@lyon.edu.
Bill
of Rights discussion to be held at library Sept. 11
Dr. Scott Roulier, associate professor of political science at Lyon College, will lead a discussion on the Bill of Rights at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, in the Mabee-Simpson Library.
The Lyon library is joining libraries across America who are participating in the “September Project,” a movement to hold events about democracy, citizenship and freedom on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Dr. Roulier’s focus will be on the history of the Bill of Rights, and he'll offer little-known facts about its precarious beginning and its powerful emergence in the 20th century.
In observance of Constitution Day,
Herbert C. Rule III, an attorney and Lyon College trustee, will speak on “What
the Constitution Really Means” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, September 19, in Nucor
Auditorium.
Congress passed a law in 2004 mandating that every school and college that receives federal money must teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17, the day the document was adopted in 1787.
Schools can determine what kind of educational program they want, but they must hold one every year on the now-named “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.” If Sept. 17 falls on a weekend, as it does this year, schools must schedule a program immediately before or after that date.
Rule’s presentation will touch on constitutional issues such as affirmative action and abortion. He indicated he might also address issues raised in columns by Dr. Bradley Gitz, the Lyon political science professor who writes an opinion column in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Rule is an attorney and partner in the Rose Law Firm of Little Rock. He has been a member of the Lyon College Board of Trustees since 1980 and has been a member of the Board’s Student Life Committee since 1998.
He joined the Rose Law Firm in 1964, following graduation with high honors from the University of Arkansas Law School at Fayetteville. He specializes in environmental law, commercial trial practice and bankruptcy. He is a member of the Arkansas and American Bar Associations.
A native of Little Rock, he received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and then served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served two terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives and has also served on the Little Rock School Board.
‘Sexsignals’ tackles serious subjects with a humorous touch
By Eric Ramirez
Lyon College will be hosting a interactive play called “Sexsignals” on at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept 13, in Holloway Theatre.
The two-person play has received rave reviews and helps educate college students on important issues concerning dating, sex, and most importantly, date rape.
“Sexsignals” is a 75-minute play featuring a male and a female actor. Each actor represents the perspectives of men and women as they explore how mixed messages, gender role stereotypes, and unrealistic fantasies contribute to misunderstandings between the sexes, according to information from the production company.
The content in the play is very serious, but the show uses humor to get the audience involved in candid discussions about interpersonal relationships. The play is “interactive” in that it tries to involve the audience in the discussion and the humor.
The “Sexsignals” performers are well-trained educators and speakers who blend comedy with their performance to more clearly communicate serious messages about how men and women interact, according to Catharsis Productions.
Christian Murphy and Gail Stern, the co-owners of Catharsis Productions, founded “Sexsignals” in 2000. It was originally called “The Sensitive Swashbuckler & Other Dating Myths”, and was performed at the Stage Left Theatre in Chicago. This theatre produces plays that raise the level of debate on social and political issues.
Since then, “Sexsignals” has been performed over 700 times at more than 350 schools throughout the country. It has received positive reviews and has quickly become one of the most popular programs on sexual assault awareness in the country. Recently, Campus Activities Magazine nominated it for Speaker of the Year honors.
Only two people perform “Sexsignals,” but it features a varying line-up of talented actors and actresses experienced not only in theatre, but public discussion and sexual abuse prevention.
Christian Murphy has degrees in liberal studies, communication and theatre. He has been involved in acting since high school. He apprenticed in the Actor’s Theatre in Louisville, KY. After that he founded Voices in Harmony, a non-profit, inner city youth program that paired students and professional actors together to perform on topics based around cultural diversity and identity. He has performed in over 60 theatrical productions, and written two one-man plays called “Meditations” and “Sleeping Through the American Dream.” Murphy is a certified Rape Victim Advocate through Chicago’s Rape Victim Advocate Program.
Gail Stern holds a degree in education and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. She has spent the last 10 years using humor to teach volatile subjects to audiences that ranged from police officers to college students. She has been involved in stand-up and improvisational comedy since she was 18 performing with the Skin of Our Teeth Comedy Ensemble and Chick Show. She was a guest on “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher” as a citizen panelist and recently participated in the “World’s Funniest Cop,” hosted by Jay Leno. She was awarded the U.S. Department of Justice Award for Public Service and Public Allies “Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” Award for her work in law enforcement and victim advocacy.
Other actors include Gwendolyn Druyor, Ben Murrie, Amber Kelly, Kelly Hayes, Kyle Terry, Courtney Abbot and John Mallory, all of whom have extensive backgrounds in acting and sexual abuse awareness.
For more information on “Sexsignals” or Catharsis Productions please visit www.catharsisproductions.com.
Freemasons fund, donate film to LyonBy Josh Manning Fifty to 60 people packed Lyon College’s Mabee-Simpson Library lobby on Tuesday when the Scottish Rite Freemasons of Arkansas donated an oral history of World War II to Lyon’s library, the Old Independence Regional Museum and the White River Regional Library. Gabe Gentry, the film’s creator, was on hand to participate in the ceremony and answer questions. Gentry said, “I hope viewers come away saying there’s something about this generation . . . that appreciates how fragile democracy can be, and is, and that these are the people who understand it takes work.” Gentry was quick to point out that with World War II veterans dying at a high rate, these histories may soon be one of the few sources left for first-person knowledge of that unique time in history. Dwane Treat, Gentry’s grandfather and head of Scottish Rite Masonry in Arkansas, said the Masons are very delighted with the film and have been looking forward to the donation ceremony at Lyon. The contribution to Lyon’s library was made on behalf of Doyle Rogers Sr. of Batesville, a longtime Scottish Rite Mason. Rogers and his wife, Josephine Raye Rogers, attended the ceremony. Gentry spent a year and a half producing the 10-volume DVD collection, and the project was funded entirely by the Scottish Rite Freemasons of Arkansas. Each DVD contains interviews with four veterans. The project amounts to a massive collection of 40 interviews that can be considered as “primary sources” usable by World War II scholars from around the world. While producing the film, AETN brought Gentry on board and has charged him with doing similar projects for the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Representatives from Sen. Mark Pryor’s office and Rep. Marion Berry’s office were present for the ceremony.
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Gabe Gentry (left) tells the audience of more
than 50 how the film project came about and what a great experience is
was for him to talk to the Arkansas veterans.
Dwane Treat (right) head of Scottish Rite Masonry in Arkansas, presents the DVD collection to Lyon President Walter Roettger. Photo by Eric Stewart |
Arkansas colleges and universities receive grants
The UPS Foundation of Atlanta and the Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) of Washington, D.C., jointly announced that more than $2 million in grants is being awarded to benefit private colleges and universities across the nation. A grant of $30,250.00 was awarded to Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities, which will distribute funds to its 11 member colleges for UPS scholarships. Lyon College is one of the colleges that will benefit.
Throughout the nation, 644 private institutions will receive a UPS Scholarship, which will be dispersed to students who are selected as UPS Scholars. Institutions select the students on the basis of financial need and academic achievement. In addition to the $1.8 million designated for scholarships, other funds will be used for innovative programs designed to improve educational services for students and to encourage collaboration among colleges. Programs will be selected through a competitive matching grants process called the UPS National Venture Fund. Since its inception in 1999, over $3.2 million in Venture Fund grants has been awarded, and with local matching grants the total impact of the program exceeds $11 million.
The UPS scholarships and grants are funded by the UPS Educational Endowment Fund, which is held and administered by FIHE and was originally funded through grants to FIHE from United Parcel Service (UPS). Since its inception, the UPS Educational Endowment Fund has generated over $37 million in scholarship support. The current value of the endowment is approximately $43 million.
In announcing the grants, Evern Cooper Epps, President of The UPS Foundation, said, “For nearly 50 years, The UPS Foundation has been honored to support education through partnerships with such organizations as FIHE and Arkansas' Independent Colleges and Universities (AICU). The availability of quality, affordable higher education is critical to establishing a talented, more diverse workforce.”
Members of Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities, in addition to Lyon, include Harding University at Searcy; John Brown University at Siloam Springs; Ouachita Baptist University at Arkadelphia; Hendrix College at Conway; Philander Smith College at Little Rock; Williams Baptist College at Walnut Ridge; University of the Ozarks at Clarksville; Central Baptist College at Conway; Arkansas Baptist College at Little Rock and Crowley’s Ridge College at Walnut Ridge.
Meredith Shipman '04 has joined the faculty at Arkansas State University Mountain Home as a mathematics instructor. Shipman comes to ASUMH from University of Central Arkansas at Conway, where she taught in the mathematics department. Before that, she was active in the Upward Bound Math-Science Program at Lyon College in Batesville. Shipman earned her bachelor of arts degree in mathematics at Lyon College and her master of arts degree in mathematics education from UCA.
Obert is new admissions counselor at ASUMH
Arkansas State University Mountain Home recently named Jeff Obert as admissions counselor. As admissions counselor, Obert will coordinate all aspects of student recruitment, including meeting with prospective students. He has served as assistant to the director of admissions at Birmingham-Southern College and at Lyon College, and, before joining ASUMH, he served as field representative to U.S. Rep. Marion Berry in the Jonesboro district office. He earned his bachelor's degree in politics and history from Lyon College and his master's degree in marketing from the University of Alabama. Obert is a native of McCalla, Ala., but has lived in Arkansas for seven of the past 10 years.
Volleyball Pipers win home-opener, then begin long road trip
The Lyon College Pipers cruised to a home-opening, 3-0 win over the Philander Smith Lady Panthers on Thursday night at Becknell Gymnasium. Lyon won 30-18, 30-8 and 30-8. Alison Sablick recorded 12 kills and five aces for the Pipers. Daria Paunovic was credited with 11 and 7, respectively. Madeline Homer registered eight kills and Susie Harper turned in 24 digs.
For results of Pipers games over the weekend in Missouri, go to http://www.lyon.edu/sports/volleyball/index.asp
Soccer: Scots win 2, Pipers lose 2
Lyon College’s men’s team won two matches over the weekend at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., while the women’s team lost two matches. Lyon’s men defeated Sterling College 1-0 Friday on a goal by Taylor McFarland, then topped Southwestern 3-0 on Saturday as Steve Banks scored two goals and McFarland added one, all in the second half. Lyon is 3-0. The women lost 1-0 to Sterling on Friday, then lost 3-0 to Southwestern on Saturday. Lyon’s women are 0-3.
Lyon golfers finish 8th, 10th at CBC Invitational tourney
Lyon College golfers Justin Fuqua and Jonathan Knowles tied for eighth at the CBC Invitational golf tournament here Monday and Tuesday. Levi Taylor was the only other Scot to play in the tournament hosted by Central Baptist College. Taylor shot a 6-over-par 78 Monday and an 83 Tuesday for a 2-day total of 161, good for 10th. Fuqua shot 83-77-160 and Knowles turned in a 79-81-160. With only three golfers, Lyon did not meet the requirement for a team score. Harding topped the leaderboard with a team total of 305-294-599. CBC finished four strokes back, followed by Southwest Christian (657) and Mid-Amercia Christian (664). Harding's Austin Osburn turned in the tournament's low score, 72-74-146.
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Servis joins Lyon coaching staff
Servis is a May 2005 graduate of the University of the Ozarks. He received a bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis in physical education. He was a cross country runner for four years at Ozarks. Originally from Harrison, he was on the cross country and track and field teams at Harrison High School. He served as an assistant student coach at Clarksville High School for the cross country and junior high track and field teams.
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Tim
Servis has been named the head coach of men’s and women’s cross country
and director of intramurals at Lyon College.